New-look Timberwolves hit town

When the Minnesota Timberwolves arrived in Milwaukee for tonight's MACC Fund Game at the Bradley Center, they had a totally different look than the last time the Bucks saw them.

All-star power forward Kevin Garnett went to Boston in a league-shaking trade on July 31, and plenty of former Celtics wound up wearing Minnesota uniforms. Center Al Jefferson, forwards Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff came west in the deal, which also included two future first-round draft picks for Minnesota.

"It's a real young team, and they've got a lot of different pieces," Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "A lot of that Boston team is in this locker room now.

"They've got a lot of energy and enthusiasm."

Bucks assistant Tony Brown served on coach Doc Rivers' staff in Boston during the past three seasons, making him quite familiar with the new Timberwolves players.

"Garnett, to be honest, was going to get traded at some point," Brown said. "I'm sure they were looking for the right deal for him, and it just so happened to be Boston.

"They've got a lot of talented young guys to come over in the trade, so it's just a matter of those guys developing from this point on."

The 6-foot-10 Jefferson, entering his fourth pro season, averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds for Boston last season and was considered the key piece for Minnesota.

"Hopefully he can get to the point where he gets all-star status," Brown said. "We wouldn't want to put that pressure on him right now. But he definitely has that ability."

Jefferson was in the starting lineup for tonight's game, with rookie Corey Brewer and Juwan Howard at forwards and Ricky Davis and Marko Jaric in the backcourt. Gomes was available after suffering a sprained left foot on Monday at Memphis, and Telfair was out with a sprained left ankle.

Second-year guard Randy Foye was out with tendinitis in his left knee.

For the Bucks, the starting lineup consisted of Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian at forwards, Andrew Bogut at center and Michael Redd and Mo Williams at guards.

Simmons returned after missing the Bucks' two previous games, as Krystkowiak continued to be cautious with the forward's comeback from right foot surgery in January. The 6-foot-6 Simmons played a total of 40 minutes in the Bucks' first two exhibition games.